Garment blocker



June 6, 1939.

F. J. BOLEK El AL 2,161,451

GARMENT BLOCKER Filed June 1, 1937 INVENTORS THOMAS S.LEVIS FRANK J.BOLEK A TTORNEY Patented June 6, 1939 PATENT OFFICE 2.101151 f v GARMENT n'nooxna Frank J. Bolek and Thomas s. Levis, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Joseph Irvin Thompson, Chicago, Ill.

Application June 1, 1937, Serial No. 145,735

4 Claims-, (01. 223-69) .l'his inventionrelates to a garment blocker and more particularly to an improved adjustable blocking device for knit garments'and the like, although certain features thereof may be employed 5 will equal advantage for other purposes.

It contemplates more especially the provision of a garment blocker having improved means for rendering such adjustable and maintaining the elements thereof in adjusted: relation. Garments are normally of'yaried style and size to conform with the dimensionaiand shape characteristics of different individuals. In order to effectively block various sized garments of knit construction, it is necessary to have the blocker 1B adjustable to different shapes and sizes as well as positional support, thereby requiring the component elements thereof to be readily adjustable and easily maintained in adjusted relation to meet the problems incident to display and fitgo tings.

Most garments vary in contour as well as shoulder characteristics in-the same sizes to the end that it is almost impossible to properly block every possible knit garment within the same general size dimensions. In order to overcome this serious defect of ordinary garment blockers as wellas to preclude the necessity of stocking numerous types of garment blocking devices, it is proposed to provide adjustment features to con- 50 form with specifically shaped and sized garments in order to block such in a perfect manner.

Numerous types of garment blockers have heretofore been proposed, but these have not proven entirely satisfactory owing to the inability to render such adjustable for use with garments of greatly varying size and, further, considerable difficulty is encountered in the means for maintaining the component elements thereof in adjusted relation without the adjusting or locking means serving as an obstruction to the garment.

It must be appreciated that in the use of garment blockers, such necessarily are subjected to the wet garments so that the component elements thereof must be readily associable and removable relative to the garment without obstruction. 'It is also desirable that the component elements and the expedients for maintaining such in adjusted relation should not become in-" 50 volved with the material of 'which the garment is composed nor should such contact therewith to'any extent as impairment to the garment will result.

One object of the present invention is to pro- '5 vide a. novel garment blocker which is adjustable to conform with various sized and styled garments.

Another object is to provide a garment blocker ,having shoulder, waist and skirt portions readily adjustable to meet different styled and sized garment characteristics.

Still another object is to provide a garment blocker having adjustable arm elements to afford an elfective blocker to varied garments for perfect blocking. m

A further object is to provide novel means in conjunction with an adjustable garment blocker for maintaining such in adjusted size without the locking means serving as an obstruction to the garment. 15

A still further object is to provide improved, dependable, and simple means for maintaining a garment blocker in adjusted position to effectively stretch and maintain various sizes in clothes duringthe drying thereof.

Still another object is to provide an improved means for maintaining garment blockers in adjustment and to afford a ready release for their adjustment and manipulation.

' Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 is a front view in elevation of a garment blocker embodying features of the present invention, it serving most efiectively for the upper half or waist portion of a garment.

Figure 2 is a front view in elevation of a garment blocker embodying features of the present invention, it serving most effectively for the lower half or skirt portion of a garment.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in elevation of a modified embodiment of the present invention, it showing an adjustable garment blocker for children's clothes and the like.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary edge view of the lock- 40 ing means taken substantially along line IV-IV of Figure 1.

' Figure 5 is a sectional view in elevation taken substantiallyalong line VV of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along line VIVI of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along line VII-VII of Figure 1.

overlapping adjacent. relation to define an in-' clined wire blocking form for the upper portion of a womans garment. I

In order to rigidity the form defined by the elongated and curved wire members l6 and II, a pair of transversely straight wire members 22 ,and 23 extend from the elongated wires l6 and II in superposed overlapping adjacent relationship to bridge the blocking mechanism Ill-ll and to rigidify such in the waist region. In order to render the complemental wire members Ill and Il adjustable relative to each other and. to modify the shape to the size and positional support of garments of any individual wearer, the confronting elements |4l5, 26-2I, 22-23, are provided with guides and locking, means so that they can be readily displaced and maintained in adjusted position.

To-this end, the straight extremity l5 of the member I is provided with a guide strap 24 that is spot welded or otherwise secured to the wire extremity l5 as at 25 (Figure '7) so as to provide an open loop end 26 in overlapping relation with the straight extremity portion .l4 of the wire member In, thereby linearly guiding one relative to the other. The extremity of the straight wire portion H of the member III is, on the other hand, provided with a substantially U-shaped guide strap 21 which envelops the member l4 and is spot welded or otherwise secured to the extremity thereof as at 28 (Figures 1 and 5), thereby tiefining furca'tions for the free movable reception of the wire member l5 therethrough with a lever 29 pivoted to the free-ends of the furcated strap 21 by means of a pin or stud 36 that has swaged ends to keep the partsin assembled relation with the lever 29 capable of free pivotal movement relative to the wires l4 and I5.

It will be observed that the lever 23 has a curved camming edge 3| defining the corner thereof adjacent to the wire I5 so as to enable the counterclockwise displacement of the lever 29 (viewed from Figure 5) to displace the wire l4 toward the wire I5 and effect frictional engagement therebetween to preclude any further displacement relative to each other. As a result, the wire members l0 and I I can be separated at their top edge and maintained in any spaced relation by manipulating the lever 26 and having such serve as a locking means.

Similarly, the confronting transverse straight portions 20 and 2| of the wire members III and II are provided with a guide strap 32 and a lever locking instrumentality 33 to enable the relative linear adjustment between the wire members 20 and 2| to maintain such in any adjusted relation. Further, the confronting transverse bridging wires 22 and 23 are provided with a corresponding strap 34 and a lever locking mechanism 35 so that the garment outline defined by the confronting wire members lll and II may be enlarged or diminished along the entire length shape and size of any garment that its desired for blocking therewith.

It should be noted that the lever locking mechanisms 28, 33 and 35 are such as to conform in thickness with the diameter of the elongated wires l0 and II and the lever members thereof is of even less thickness so as to avoid any possible obstruction to the garment that is disposed thereon. In order to enable the blocking of the arm portions of a garment, a pair of substantially U-shaped wire members 36 and 31 are provided for attachment to the bust portions l2 and I3 of the wire members It] and II, the substantially U-shaped members 36 and 31 having angularly and inwardly bent extremities 38--39 and 46- that are detachably associated with eyelets defined by spot welding the substantially U- shaped short wire length 42 (Figure 8) to the rod l3 as at 43, thereby defining a loop or eyelet through which the angular extremity 4|! of the arm members 31 may be projected for retention (Figures 1 and 8).

A similar strap or wire defining eyelet 44 is provided on the wire member l2 to receive an inwardly bent extremity 38 of the arm member 36. In order to render the arm members 36 and 3'! adjustable in width, the strap or eyelet 45 is welded or otherwise secured as at 46 to a short length of wire 41 (Figure 6) that is disposed between the strap 46 for welded joinder therewith as at 43 to present a freely accessible eyelet 45 extending in a direction opposite to the'lever 56 serving as a locking expedient by engagement to the rod l2 extending therethrough (Figures 1 and 6) so that the arm 36 may be stretched as desired by merely manipulating the locking lever 50 and displacing the strap 49 along the wire I 2 (Figure 1).

The arm defining wire member 31 is provided with a corresponding strap 5| havingits lever 52 to lock the eyelet 53 in any position along the portion l3 of the wire member II. It will be observed that the lower eyelets 45 and 53 may be welded or otherwise joined to the bust portions l2 and I3 of the wires I0 and II for permanent attachment, thereby affording the blocking of the arm portions of the garment without any adjustment other than'the yielding resiliency of the wire arm defining members 36 and 31.

The skirt portion of the blocker is rendered adjustable by providing a plurality of relatively adjustable wire members 54, and 56, in this instance three, that are complements of each other to provide the desired attachment in size, shape and contour. To this end, the wire members 54 and 55 consist of downwardly diverging flaring straight portions'5'l and 56 terminating in angularly disposed transverse straight portions 59 and 66 that are in superposed adjacent relationship and are guided relative to each other and rendered adjustable by means of a guide strap 6| and lever locking mechanism 62 similar to corresponding parts described in connection with the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

In order to reinforce and render more rigid the members 54 and 55 intermediate the extrem ities thereof, the members 54 and 55 are provided with confronting transverse wires 63 and 64 having a corresponding guide strap 65 and the locking expedient 66 to enable their relative adjustment and looking to provide the desired spacing between the wire members 54 and 55 intermediate their length. It is worthy of note that the bottom member 56 is sectional in that tom'portions of the side wire members 54 and 55 so as to serve as a complement thereof and to be adjustable relative thereto by means of guide straps 69' and 10 attached to the upper extremities H and 12, respectively, of the upper side members 61 and 58.

Looking lever members 13 and 14 are fixed to the bottom extremities of the side wire members 54 and 55 so as to render the length adjustable for any desired skirt size. In order to preclude the wire members 54 and 55 to become entangled in the fabric of the skirt, the lower extremities l and I6 are ground at an angle -to eliminate any sharp'projecting points that would catch the material of the skirt and thus cause injury thereto.

In order to afford the'spacing of the side members 54 and 55 along the bottom edge thereof,

the sides 61 and 68 of the member 56 terminate in angularly disposed transverse portions. 11 and 18 that are superposed in adjacent slidable relation for guidance by a strap 19 and for looking in adjusted position by the lever mechanism 80 that conforms in structure with the similar lever locking expedient described supra. It will be apparent, therefore, that the skirt portion of the garment form can be rendered adjustable in width, length and varying contour so as to be available for use with garments of different size.

In the'modified embodiment shown in Figure 3 that is adapted for childrens garments, the side members i6 and II are shaped to correspond with those disclosed and described in the embodiment shown in Figure 1. The corresponding parts are similar in construction save that the bottom flaring portions l8 and I9 serve to block the skirt portion of the garment as well as the waist portion owing to the diminutive size of garments that are worn by children. In other details of construction the embodiment shown in Figure 3 is similar to that shown in Figure 1 with the exception that the arm forms 36' and 31 are not adjustable in width in that the bottom eyelets 45 and 53' are permanently attached to the wire members l0 and H rather than adjustable as shown in Figure 1. However, the eyelets 45 and 53' may be rendered adjustable in accordance with the embodiment shown in Figure 1 should commercial practice so dictate.

It will be apparent, therefore, that a very simple, dependable and effectivegarment blocking device has been provided that is effective and capable of universal adaptation. The surface of the wire members are preferably provided with a heavy cadmium plate in order to preclude ruse and to maintain such in a condition that will not be harmful to the clothes.

Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention herein specifically disclosed without departing from or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention or any features thereof, and nothing herein shall be construed as limitations upon the invention, its concept or structural embodiment as to the whole or any part thereofexcept as defined in the ap-- pended claims. r I

We claim:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination with elongated wire members having smooth surfaces throughout the length thereof, said wire members being disposed relative to each other as complements with overlapping end portions in the plane of said relatively disposed wire members to define a garment outline of adjustable size, straps embracing said overlapping end portions to guide one relative to the other in the plane of said garment outline to enlarge or diminish the size thereof, locking means adjustably confined within the plane of said wire members defining said garment outline, and cam engaging portions on said locking means effective responsive to the displacement thereof within said garment outline to frictionally maintain said complemental members in adjusted relation.

2. In a. device of the character described, the combination with elongated wire members having smooth surfaces throughout the length thereof, said wire members being disposed relative to each other as complements with overlapping end portions in the plane of 'saidrelatively disposed wire members to define a garment outline of adjustable size, straps embracing said overlapping end portions to guide one relative to the other in the plane of said garment outline to enlarge or diminish the size thereof, lever locking means pivotally connected to said guide straps for displacement within the-plane of said wire members defining said garment outline, and cam engaging portions on said lever locking means efiective responsive to the displacement thereof within said garment outline to frictionally maintain said complemental members in adjusted relation.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination with elongated wire members having smooth surfaces throughout the length thereof, said wire members being disposed relative to each other as complements with overlapping end portions in the plane of said relatively disposed wire members to define a garment outline of adjustable size, spaced guide straps embracing each of said overlapping end portions, each of said guide straps being anchored to the other of said overlapping end portions to guide one relative to the other in the plane of said garment outline to enlarge or diminish the size thereof, elongated flat lever locking means adjustably confined within the plane of said wire members defining said garment outline, and cam engaging portions on said elongated fiat lever locking means effective responsive to the displacement thereof within said garment outline to frictionally maintain said complemental members in adjusted relation, said lever locking means being of lesser thickness than said wire members to avoid obstruction to gar-- ments in any adjusted operative position thereof.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination with elongated wire members having smooth surfaces throughout the length thereof, said wire members being disposed relative to each other as complements with overlapping end portions in the plane of said relatively disposed wire members to define a garment outline of adjustable size, spaced guide straps embracing each 'of said overlapping end portions, each of said guide straps being anchored to the other of said overlapping end portions to guide one relative to the other in the plane of said garment outline to enlarge or diminish the size thereof, elongated flat lever locking means adjustably confined within the plane of said wire members defining said garment outline, cam engaging portions on said elongated fiat lever locking means effective responsive to the displacement thereof within said garment outline to frictionally maintain said complemental members in adjusted relation, said lever locking means being of lesser thickness than said wire members to avoid obstruction to garments in any adjusted operative position thereof, confronting eyelet defining members associated with said wire members in the arm region of the garment outline thereof, arm outline defining wire members detachably associated with said eyelet members for mounting in said garment outline, and elongated flat engaging lever cam means connected with one of each confronting eyelet members within the plane of said garment outline for frictionally maintaining said am outline wire members in their adjusted form and size. I

FRANK J. BOLEK. THOMAS S. LEVIS: 

